Black Hand Coffee Co. is opening soon at 3101 Patterson Ave. (Photos by Lena Price)
A local coffee shop’s move has been percolating for a while, but the new location is finally ready.
Black Hand Coffee Company is a few days away from opening at 3101 Patterson Ave. The 800-square-foot building is roughly the same size as the shop’s previous location on Sheppard Street, but owner Clay Gilbert said the new location has more outdoor space to work with.
Inside the new location.
“Once we get it set up, that front patio is going to enhance the experience for our customers,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert, who bought the business in 2009, was originally shooting for a spring opening. He said that it took longer than he expected to go through the permitting process and that renovating the former laundromat was a major undertaking.
“We took a really dilapidated piece of property and turned it into something the neighborhood is really excited about,” Gilbert said. “But to do that, we had to just completely gut the building.”
Gilbert said he self-financed the $55,000 build-out. Mechanicsville contractor Heritage Custom Builders handled the construction.
Black Hand manager Christopher Johnson said the Patterson location would help the shop streamline their service.
“It’s all about being more efficient,” Johnson said. “We want to get people their products faster and still keep a high quality level.”
Black Hand Coffee Co. is opening soon at 3101 Patterson Ave. (Photos by Lena Price)
A local coffee shop’s move has been percolating for a while, but the new location is finally ready.
Black Hand Coffee Company is a few days away from opening at 3101 Patterson Ave. The 800-square-foot building is roughly the same size as the shop’s previous location on Sheppard Street, but owner Clay Gilbert said the new location has more outdoor space to work with.
Inside the new location.
“Once we get it set up, that front patio is going to enhance the experience for our customers,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert, who bought the business in 2009, was originally shooting for a spring opening. He said that it took longer than he expected to go through the permitting process and that renovating the former laundromat was a major undertaking.
“We took a really dilapidated piece of property and turned it into something the neighborhood is really excited about,” Gilbert said. “But to do that, we had to just completely gut the building.”
Gilbert said he self-financed the $55,000 build-out. Mechanicsville contractor Heritage Custom Builders handled the construction.
Black Hand manager Christopher Johnson said the Patterson location would help the shop streamline their service.
“It’s all about being more efficient,” Johnson said. “We want to get people their products faster and still keep a high quality level.”
Looking forward to the Grand Opening!!!!!
The absolute worst. Self-absorbed morons who don’t understand coffee or customer service. Don’t waste your time or money.
Not sure where Mark’s been going, but I love the Black Hand. Great service, great coffee and a chill atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to the new place!
Good coffee shop, I have to say I’m surprised they are moving and would love to hear more on why
They are a bit cranky though – if mark above caught the grouch on duty, I can see where his comment came from. Management should have a chat with people about customer service
Heritage Custom Builders has done some high quality renovations around the Richmond area! Good call using them for this job.
This is a great move. The new space looks great!!
The new place looks amazing. I can’t wait to drink coffee outside on the patio. Such a great place for a coffee shop! The Black Hand has the BEST coffee!!!
I miss Robert. . .
First stop in today, the place looks great, the coffee as good as ever. I’m sure you guys are just working out the kinks but I don’t know how you can significantly streamline service without a drip coffee ‘express lane.’ It would make such a big difference for those of us there for your amazing coffee rather than you finely crafted espresso drinks!.
Having seen the space, I’m now even MORE curious about why they moved….